By james art 
Golfers from Edenvale represented their countries when they competed in the All-Africa Golf Team Championships (AAGTC) in Zimbabwe.
The four Balderstone Sports Institute golfers – Gilbert Chalwe, Adrian Andrade, Mongiwetfu Masuku and Thomo Mokgatle – represent Zambia, Seychelles, Eswatini and Botswana respectively.
The championships run from October 27 to November 2 at the Bulawayo Golf Club.
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The AAGTC is a bi-annual continental golf tournament bringing together golfers from across Africa in a display of sportsmanship and skill. Each of the African countries competing is fielding its four best golfers.
Ahead of their departure for the championship, the NEWS spoke with three of the four golfers, who shared their excitement and hopes.
“I feel great; there is nothing better than playing for your country and I think we all have our expectations. To me, it’s just going out there and doing what we set out to do. We play for our countries and ourselves,” said Masuka.
Mokgatle said he felt privileged to represent Botswana at a tournament of this magnitude.
“At the end of the day, all we can do is try our best and give our best.”
Likewise, Chalwe said he feels blessed and excited to represent Zambia.
“I plan to go there and do my best; God will do the rest.”
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Fifteen-year-old Mokgatle, who has been playing golf for four years, said he used to be a footballer.
“When the Covid-19 pandemic happened, I tried to play a different sport and it turned out to be golf,” Mokgatle said.
He said what he likes about the sport is that golfers have to rely on themselves.
“There is no one else to blame. You make your own decisions and you don’t need to rely on others to perform well,” said Mokgatle.
Masuka, who has been playing for 12 years, said he started playing because of his father.
“My father used to play with his friends and I often joined them,” Masuka said.
Like Mokgatle, Masuka also plays football and participates in athletics.
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“I started playing golf full-time during Covid-19 and it was perfect because it was a non-contact sport. From there, I fell in love with the game.”
He said he enjoys that the sport is physically and emotionally demanding.
“It requires every ounce of your strength. You have to be in the gym with a mental coach and push yourself by training to perform at your highest levels.”
Chalve, who has been playing golf for eight years, was inspired to take up the sport by a golfing friend.
“My friend from high school played golf and often traveled to other countries. I thought I might enjoy doing that, so I took up the sport and fell in love with it.
He said he enjoys the amount of thinking and calculation involved in golf. “Golf is a game where you have to think and calculate where and how you’re going to hit the ball. It’s a challenge and I like to face challenges.”
While at the tournament, the golfers hope to do their best and make their countries proud.